Hey gang...

It is with a heavy heart that I post this message.

Some of you may know, 30 days ago I spent $2,000 to have a brand new $5,400 4.6L block installed in my 2004 HSE.

This was after mistakenly spending $1,700 on a headgasket job that didn't need to be done.

BUT- I'm fine with it all, because now I've got a brand new Disco that I'm babying around and loving it.

Well, tonight as I putted down my looong drive way, the temperature begins climbing slowly (I guess I still am in the habit of constantly subconsciously glancing at the gauges).

I shut it off before it had risen even above the second dash in the middle, but it was definitely higher than usual. It ALWAYS rides directly between the two dashes.

I had just checked the fluid levels about 3 hours ago, and the coolant was the same perfect as it was the day after the block was installed.

BUT- the hoses were hard as a rock. They aren't usually that hard... The last time they were hard, I had a damn cracked block.

I'm going to go back out and drive around a bit and see if I can make it happen again... but do any of you have any ideas? When they installed the block, I had them put a new T-Stat in. I can't imagine it's that. The hose below the t-stat is just as hard as the two above it.

I'll let you know what happens on this next drive. It's been fine for the last month and a half.

I love my Disco baby... I hope to God there isn't something wrong with the new block.

 

Wow, that blows. Let us know what you find out.

 

It does indeed, OysterMan. It does indeed.

I took it for a drive for about 15 minutes. Took it down our dirt road, then down the highway. I didn't push it hard, but harder than usual- maybe 3500rpm max.

Putted down the dirt road. Putted down the drive way (1/4 mile or so). As soon as I come to rest, I snap this picture of the temperature gauge:

NORMAL TEMP:

Then almost immediately, it starts warming up, exactly like it did before. I let it idle, and it kept climbing. It climaxed, and seemed to sit there. Here is where it looked like. This is very abnormal for my Disco. It always sits in the "Normal" position above.

CLIMAX:

It sat there for 30 seconds. I decided it wasn't going to go any higher. So, keeping it parked, I revved it to 2500 RPM. I let it hand there for about 15 seconds, when the temp dropped slightly.

I let it idle for 5 minutes, and it sat in this same position. Still above normal, but not as high as the climax.

SETTLED:


What do you guys think?

These gauges aren't very accurate, of course. I usually find that it's either all or nothing with these... but in this case, there seems to be an equilibrium.

Please tell me your thoughts, guys... I really don't want to ruin this brand new block. Atlantic British said these new blocks CANNOT shed cylinder sleeves...

Again- please tell me whatever thoughts you have, friends. Thanks guys.

Pat

 

I think you need a scanguage II:

http://tinyurl.com/y6hyhmv

Then you'll know exactly what temp your coolant is as well as being able to read codes. Mine saved my butt when my thermastat broke by showing me the EXACT digital readout of my water temp.

Think of it as $159 dollar insurance.

 

pull your thermostat and see if it continues. seems to be the place that i normally start when having over heating problems.

 

As far as I can tell, it's impossible to run a DII without a t-stat.

I reckon I'll order a new t-stat and have it overnighted. I have a 700 mile business trip on Saturday - Wednesday, and it's pretty crucial.

I drove on the freeway (80mph, 2750rpm) for 45 minutes this morning, and when I got here, I let it idle in the parking lot for 5 minutes, and it never warmed up.

I don't know man... it's very weird. When I have the garage pop the t-stat in, I'll probably have them make sure the radiator doesn't have any blockages. How they will do that, I have no idea. Seems like some of the fins could get plugged and the radiator could run at half capacity or something.

 

First, never turn off an engine, if no coolant is leaking, while it is overheating, that will burn it up. Pull off the road, open your windows and turn the heater to the highest position to all the heater to cool your engine down.

As for the suggestion about removing your t/stat, "NEVER" remove a t/stat unless you want to over heat your engine.

Now for your issue, was the t/stat replaced, is your front electrical fan working?

 

THANKS for the reply, Mike.

I'll check the fan- GOOD point!

The t-stat was replaced when the new engine was installed, and literally four times before that.

 

Is that position HIGH (that first pic, right above the temp symbol), just asking because that is exactly where mine rides all the time... I just thought it was normal, it has always been at that exact same spot, never goes any higher... If that is high, where exactly should it be.. My scangauge never goes over 208 at the very highest.. Is that bad? normal is about 185 to 190ish... That has me kinda worries fellas, not gonna lie...

Responses please... and sorry Pat, not trying to highjack your post man..

Regards,

 

Just to add to this, I have a new t/stat that i bought becasue i thought i had a head gasket leak, turned out to be my ac sweating (i'm an idiot, i know, but you can never be too careful), anyways, do you think changing it out may solve this problem if it is one?

Thanks,